What happens now that marijuana is legalized in Michigan

Here's what you need to know following the vote to pass recreational marijuana in Michigan.

1. The law doesn't go into effect right away.

The law doesn't take effect until 10 days after the results of the election are certified by the Board of State Canvassers -- a process that starts in each county.

Secretary of State spokesman Fred Woodhams said the certification has to legally occur by Nov. 26.

Once the results are certified, it is legal for adults age 21 and over to consume marijuana in their homes and on their property.

"One day your 12 marijuana plants are illegal and the next day you're within your lawful rights," said Doug Mains, a lawyer with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn. "It frees up law enforcement from figuring out if you're supposed to have this or not."

2. Retail shops won't be open for at least a year.

It will likely take state officials up to a year to come up with new rules and regulations for shops and marijuana products. The law requires the state to start licensing businesses in 2020.

Licensed medical marijuana businesses in Michigan will be allowed to apply for recreational licenses first.

3. The law could still change.

The recreational marijuana program could be changed significantly before it launches -- as state lawmakers could pass laws altering it with a three-fourths majority of both the House and the Senate. A three-fourths majority in both legislative bodies is difficult to obtain.

4. Local officials might pass bans.

Cities, villages and townships in Michigan now face a choice: whether to pass an ordinance to further regulate, limit or ban recreational marijuana businesses altogether.

Any business -- a grower, processor, testing lab, secure transporter or retail store -- has to gain local approval before getting a state license. That said, municipalities can add further oversight to the program by passing local laws.

Many of the actions cities and townships took on medical marijuana could foreshadow what's to come under the recreational marijuana program.

5. You can't buy medical marijuana for recreational use.

Medical marijuana provisioning centers will continue to sell marijuana products only to card-carrying patients. However, caregivers -- allowed to grow marijuana for medical patients under a 2008 law -- are able to give weed, but not sell, to non-patients, Mains said.

6. Don't smoke and drive.

It is still illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana, and to consume it while driving. Passengers also cannot consume in a vehicle. It is also still illegal to consume marijuana in public.

Possessing marijuana in a vehicle would not be a crime, Mains said. However, if a police officer has probable cause to think someone was consuming it they may try to charge you, Mains said.

"It comes down to people being responsible," Mains said. "Don't be driving down the road with your ounce of weed sitting in the passenger seat."

7. You can still get fired for weed.

Employers across Michigan are now reviewing their drug testing policies.

Companies can still fire employees for marijuana use if a drug test comes back positive, said Nikole Canute, a lawyer with Mika Meyers in Grand Rapids.

"It (Proposal 1) does not prohibit employers from having a zero-tolerance policy," Canute said.

Federal contractors are required to have zero-tolerance drug polices due to the Drug Free Workforce Act of 1988.